July 2005 Volume III, Number 7

Compiled by Deb Miller Slipek, News Finder Extraordinary &
Jane Leonard, MRP President & Editor

JUNE IS HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH & DAIRY MONTH

IN THIS ISSUE:

- Across the Field: Minnesota and the Changing World
- Policy
- Funding
- Meetings & Conferences
- Tools & Miscellaneous

ACROSS THE FIELD, by Jane Leonard
Minnesota and the Changing World

I just returned from two back-to-back meetings of international rural and community development groups gathered in rural southwestern Virginia and in Baltimore, Maryland –over 40 countries in all attended. The days away from Minnesota humbled me, because I saw how far ahead some of the countries and other U.S. states are in thinking and acting on innovations and investments for poverty reduction, new wealth creation and moving beyond industrial recruitment subsidies as a development strategy. I was excited by our own opportunities here in Minnesota, despite the shutdown of state government, to help Minnesotans work, care, and strive in the 21st century. It’s crystal clear we cannot be complacent as the world grows around us.

I was honored to present at the International Rural Network Conference in Virginia (www.rupri.org) on the work we have accomplished as a non-profit organization in co-creating with many other organizations, the Minnesota Entrepreneurial Gateway (MEG) system. This I did alongside presentations about similar private/public state efforts in North Carolina and Georgia.

These and other presentations on rural entrepreneurship are now posted at the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship website, including:

• Thomas S. Lyons, University of Louisville, Entrepreneurship Development Systems: Why and How?
• Deb Markley, Entrepreneurship as a Rural Economic Development Strategy: An Overview and Building a Local Program: Georgia’s Entrepreneur and Small Business Coordinating Network.
• Erik Pages, EntreWorks Consulting, Inc., U.S. Policy Initiatives to Spur Entrepreneurship: The Latest on Federal, State and Local Programs.
• Leslie Scott, NC Rural Center’s Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship, Building an Entrepreneurship Development System in Rural North Carolina.

(http://www.ruraleship.org/index_html?page=content/newreleases.htm)

Finding the funding to get the Minnesota Entrepreneurial Gateway system going on more than a piecemeal basis has been difficult, but we did get word just this week that the Minnesota State Network Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation approved a $30,000 grant for the planning and development of MEG. And the Women’s Business Monthly July issue features the work of MRP, MEG and colleagues in central Minnesota. That public recognition helps immensely to keep our spirits going in the face of many obstacles. Together with the W. K. Kellogg funding for the health care and community design components of MEG we received earlier this year, we are slowly but surely on our way.

But on our way to what, you may ask? My hope is that over time, MEG will be nothing short of a systemic transformation of how we do the business of community, business, and economic development in Minnesota. It will help reprioritize our resources to spur entrepreneurship and small business development (which, as our friends at Bremer Banks now remind us all through their billboards, creates three out of every four new jobs). MEG will enable us to compete at a world-class level and strengthen our local community fabric, too, because it will integrate the powerful online community informatics tools like BizPathways, eFolio Minnesota, and the Minnesota Environmental Atlas for informed decision-making (come to the Summit to learn about these….) and on-the-ground people, knowledge and connections in finance, creative capital, health, and community design for this new era we live in yet do not always comprehend.

The larger question is “do we have the will to start to change our policies to fit new world conditions?” – conditions that look to entrepreneurship as one of the key strategies for economic development in a world that must sustain its resources – grow from within -- and look to innovation for economic competitiveness.

One of the policy changes necessary for sustainable, entrepreneurial development must be how we regard and allocate health care insurance. During the meetings I had with rural colleagues from other countries, I marveled at how those from Britain, Canada, and Australia regard their universal health insurance as second nature (they all pay a fee/tax to buy into the national plan – it is not a freebie). They were quite perplexed at how we in the USA go into convulsions at the thought of a universal health insurance, single-payer plan. They wonder at how we will ever support entrepreneurship – a worthy initiative because it creates businesses and jobs -- without changing how we distribute health insurance in our country.

The cost of health insurance is one of the biggest barriers to people wanting to take the risks to start a business. They think of their family and the lack of health insurance and they stop dead in their tracks. In the U.S. we have depended on employers to provide health insurance and they do so with frustration at a fragmented, bloated-with-administrative-costs system. With risk pools for this and risk pools for that, they find it increasingly unaffordable to provide health insurance for their employees. The state and the nation subsidize insurance for the elderly and the disabled. And in Minnesota, we come darn close to offering universal health insurance for everyone with our Minnesota Care program.

So why don’t we just take the plunge and make a big national splash with a new economic development initiative called HealthZ -- the biggest business and jobs creation program ever in this state. It would take the health insurance game off the employers’ backs and offer all Minnesotans the ability to affordably buy into a 4-million-plus person pool for health care coverage (including the most important cost saver of all -- preventative care) at the same or better rates than current state employees, legislators and our Governor have. Insurance companies could bid on being the providers of that insurance pool, just like companies do now to provide state telecommunications services, or paper, or cleaning services. If the state is unwilling or somehow unable to do it, local or regional government could, as an incentive to keep residents and businesses in their towns.

HealthZ – a statewide business and job creation zone, just like our current JOBZ program that already subsidizes business with long-term tax breaks – would attract new business starts and business growth like bears to honey. And then Minnesota would lead the nation, and start catching up to other countries of the world that already have health care barriers out of the way of job and business creation. Stay tuned for work we are doing in this arena. “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”

NEWS FLASH!!!! --- Reminder - EARLY BIRD RATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE, FRIDAY JULY 14 for 2005 Minnesota Rural Summit, July 28 & 29, St. John's University. Sign up now!

The 2005 Summit will feature discussions and workshops on Minnesota's changing economic and demographic landscape, also a half-day session for you to learn about the building blocks of a new economic framework and chance to weigh in on MEG, and… this just in… a special legislative update and "meet and greet" with emerging candidates for various political offices in Minnesota, co-sponsored by Minnesota E-democracy. Should be a timely meeting after our state shutdown woes.

Other great stories to be shared include the finals for the real storytellers of Minnesota -- the first-ever Long Arm of the Small Town, Rural Heritage - Rural Roots Storytelling contest, to be held at the Summit right after the Meet & Greet with Candidates, Thursday evening, July 28. Thanks to Sinclair Lewis for the literary inspiration! And to our sponsors for helping us keep the Summit afloat - check them out.

POLICY

--In the coming months, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will hold a series of public forums at various U.S. locations to obtain public input for the development of the 2007 Farm Bill. The dates, locations, and times of the forums will be announced in USDA press releases (http://www.usda.gov). The first Farm Bill Forum was to be held in Nashville, Tenn. on July 7. Six topics have been identified to provide a framework for the forums. The primary topics addressed at the forums will reflect various concerns affecting rural America such as commodity, conservation, and rural economic development issues.

In addition, some forums will be dedicated to other important programs authorized by the farm bill such as food assistance, research and education programs. Comments will be accepted at public forums and may also be submitted electronically via the Internet at the USDA home page www.usda.gov by selecting "Farm Bill Forums," by email to FarmBill@usda.gov or by mail to Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, Farm Bill, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3355.

FUNDING

-- The federal government has placed grant information and application packets on their web site. This will give you information about all sorts of programs, valued at $360 billion from 26 federal agencies. Go to their newsletter at http://www.grants.gov/Newsletter for more information.

-- Office of Rural Health and Primary Care Announces Grant Opportunities. The Indian Health Grant Program helps eligible applicants establish, operate or subsidize clinic facilities and services to offer health services to American Indians who live off reservations. Nonprofit organizations, governmental and tribal entities are eligible to apply. The amount of funding for the program is $177,000 per year. The two-year award cycle is January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2007.

The Migrant Health Grant Program funds establishing, operating or subsidizing clinic facilities and services, including mobile clinics, to supply migrant agricultural workers and their families with health services in areas of the state with significant numbers of migrant workers. Cities, counties, groups of cities or counties, or nonprofit corporations are eligible to apply. First consideration for funding will be given to organizations that can provide services statewide. The amount of funding for the program is $104,000 per year. The two-year award cycle is January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2007.

Applications for both programs are due August 15, 2005. Applications and guidelines are available at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/grants.htm. Completion of the grant cycle and awarding of any grants is contingent upon 2005 legislative decisions. For more information contact Debra Jahnke at
651-282-6334 or debra.jahnke@health.state.mn.us

--Technology Grants for Rural Schools sponsored by the Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative. These grants are funded by a donation from Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative (RTFC) and strive to help public schools in rural areas served by OPASTCO members bring modern computers to every classroom, connect schools to the information superhighway and make sure that effective and engaging software and online resources are an integral part of the school curriculum. The deadline is September 13, 2005. Go to http://www.fred.org/teachtech.html

--Mini-grant Program of the National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety. The purpose of the "Mini-grant" program of the National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety is to support small-scale projects and pilot studies that address prevention of childhood agricultural disease and injury. Any organization or individual throughout the United States is eligible to apply for funds. Priority will be given to organizations that are building their capacity in childhood agricultural health and safety as well as to junior faculty or graduate students whose professional activities relate to agriculture, occupational safety, and/or injury prevention. A maximum of $15,000 may be requested. They anticipate awarding at least four projects. Application Deadline: August 10, 2005 (by postal mail or electronic mail.) Applicants will be notified of funding decision by September 23, 2005. For more information contact: stueland.marlene@mcrf.mfldclin.edu or go to http://www2.marshfieldclinic.org/research/children/
grant/default.asp?doc=2005Announcement.xml

-- Funding for Music Education The Mockingbird Foundation, which generates charitable proceeds from fans of the rock band Phish, offers grants to schools and nonprofit organizations that focus on music education for children. The Foundation gives priority to projects that encourage and foster creative expression in any musical form. Of special interest are programs that benefit disenfranchised groups, including those with low skill levels, income, or education; with disabilities or terminal illnesses; and in foster homes, shelters, hospitals, prisons, or other remote or isolated situations. The geographic focus is on the U.S, with an interest in geographic diversity throughout the country. The next deadline for letters of inquiry, which must be submitted online, is August 1, 2005. Visit the website http://www.mockingbirdfoundation.org/funding/ for details.

-- Grants for Youth Community Service MTV and Youth Venture are teaming up to offer Think Venture Grants of up to $1,000 to young people who are making a difference by creating their own organizations, clubs or businesses that address a need in their community. Think Ventures must focus on one of the following issue areas: discrimination, education, environment, global issues, or sexual health. Each week, one grant will be awarded to a group of young people (two or more) who submit the most compelling and sustainable Think Venture application. Applications, which will be accepted through December 31, 2005, are available on the website http://www.youthventure.org/index.php?tg=articles&idx=
More&article=1276&topics=368 .

-- Staffing Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program The purpose of the SAFER Grant Program is to award grants directly to volunteer, combination, and career fire departments to help the departments increase their cadre of firefighters with a goal of ultimately attaining 24-hour staffing and assuring the community has adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. http://www.firegrantsupport.com

-- Teaching American Music Encouraged The American Music Education Initiative of the National Music Foundation is designed to identify the creative educational accomplishments of teachers who use American music in the classroom. By sharing teachers' award winning lessons on the Foundation's website, the Foundation hopes to encourage the teaching of American music in schools throughout the country. Lessons submitted may be from public or private schoolteachers, teachers from community music or education programs, or teachers who provide private music instruction. The lessons can be for any subject, in any grade K-12, and they can use any type of American music. Teachers whose lessons are selected as finalists will receive grants of $1,000; semi-finalist teachers will receive grants of $500. The application deadline is September 15, 2005. Visit the website listed above for more information. http://www.usamusic.org/amei.html

CONFERENCES & MEETINGS

--The Smart Health for Rural Communities, Minnesota Rural Health Conference runs July 18-19 in Duluth. For more information, go to http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/orhconflodg.html

--The International Symposium on Local E-Democracy, July 26-27 in Minneapolis is the world's first international conference focused specifically on local e-democracy. The symposium is sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in the United Kingdom and the UK Local e-Democracy National Project along with other partners. The fee for the conference is a modest $125 US (~70 GBP, 102 Euros). The enrolled student rate is $75 US. Learn more: http://dowire.org/localedem

--The Minnesota Rural Summit is July 28 & 29 at St. John's University, Collegeville. "The Great Reconnect: Bridging Rural & Urban Resources for Community and Economic Success" looks at the changing demographic and economic landscape in Minnesota, offers emerging best practices around these changes, and seeks your input to build a new economic framework that helps rural and urban communities work together for a sustainable future. Sign up now and get the Early Bird rate! http://www.minnesotaruralpartners.org/2005_summit/index.htm.

MISCELLANEOUS

--EPA's color-coded map of roughly 3,100 counties in the United States is hooked up to a database that lets you map air and water quality, crime rates, population, employment, weather, race, unemployment, etc. The Dynamic Chloropleth Mapping tool has been developed by William P. Smith and Steve Young of the Environmental Protection Agency. One of the most powerful and interesting features of the mapping function is its ability to filter the data you see by using other variables. For example, you could look just at the highest one-third of counties by income and map variations in their average travel time. This tool lets you quickly and easily see the geographic pattern of the data. Visit http://www.turboperl.com/dcmaps.html.

--Minnesota Public Radio has created an online collaboration to generate enthusiasm and good ideas for overcoming the many challenges facing small towns. You can contribute your ideas at http://minnesota.publicradio.org/smalltowns. Ideas were incorporated into the third annual Symposium for Small Towns, sponsored by the University of Minnesota-Morris and Minnesota Public Radio and will continue through the Minnesota Rural Summit July28 & 29. For more information go to
www.morris.umn.edu/services/cst/symposium/2005/index.htm.

--Community Development - Main Street Economist "Agricultural Credit Conditions: Booming Farmland Values" In the June issue of The Main Street Economist, Nancy Novack discusses today's booming farm and ranchland values and solid ag credit conditions--and how crop prices and energy costs will help shape the outlook for farm income in 2005.
http://www.kansascityfed.org/RuralCenter/Mainstreet/MainStMain.htm

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